COUNCIL chiefs have acted to stop rumours that Stockton Heath Tip is about to close.

Warrington Borough Council's Environmental Health boss Andrew Gilbert was quizzed on the possibility of the Sandy Lane Household Waste Disposal Site closing at last week's Appleton Parish Council meeting.

Parish clerk Elvin Meachin said: "Concern was expressed at rumours of the imminent closure of the Household Waste Disposal Site at Stockton Heath. The parish council was assured that whilst this was being discussed nothing was imminent and the site would not be closed until an alternative improved site was available."

When contacted by the GUARDIAN, Mr Gilbert refused to be drawn further on the issue. But council spokesman Bob Williams said: "The Stockton Heath tip provides a valuable service to the community. We are aware of the rumours but there are no immediate plans to close it."

Stockton Heath borough councillor Celia Jordan said she too had heard the rumours. "But we have had nothing official from the council," she added. "If it is stronger than a rumour, I would be most concerned that it hadn't been talked over with the area representatives."

The last time the possibility of the tip closing was brought up, public outcry forced then owner Cheshire County Council to abandon the idea.

Some councillors believe the rumours could have been started because developers McCarthy and Stone are building new retirement flats next door. The company has made a bid for the site in the past, which was knocked back. But the company has stated it has no plans to repeat the offer and has designed the retirement homes so that the windows look out over London Road and not back at the tip.

Workers at the site said they had been asked about the possible closure by several people using the tip, but had heard nothing themselves.

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